Dr. Matthias Lehnert

Current job:
Adviser at a Catholic academy

Studies in Mannheim:
Political Science and Economics

Highest degree:
Magister/doctorate

Career

In the winter semester 1998/99, I started my Magister in Political Science and Economics. During my studies, I spent a year abroad in Baltimore, USA. In Germany, I was actively involved in the debating society as well as the Katholische Hochschulgemeinde (Catholic student group) and was awarded a scholarship by the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. As a student assistant, I worked at the Chair of Political Science and participated in various colloquia of the chair. In 2004, I completed my Magister degree in Political Science and Economics. Afterward, I decided to pursue a doctorate at the University of Mannheim and also became an academic staff member. I ended my academic career in 2010 and accepted a position at an alternative financial services provider. On the side, I continued to work on my dissertation project, which I completed in 2018. In 2019, I started working at a Catholic academy, where I still occupy a position as an adviser.

Tips for starting your career

Ask yourself: what am I really interested in? If the answer is “money”, consider this: what would I be interested in, if money was irrelevant?
Pursue your interests but do not expect to be enthusiastic about them all the time. There will be lean periods, setbacks, and boring days. Try not to let those kind of things discourage you.
Take advantage of the opportunity to attend some business administration courses as well, even if you find it boring. It will be of use some day.
Take statistics courses. Being one of the core subjects of the social sciences, this knowledge can be applied broadly.
In addition to your studies, try to look at Political Science from different points of view, for example, by attending different events or through extracurricular activities.
Read books and the newspaper. Borrow books from the library that interest you. Expand your horizons. The University Library is a whole new universe that just waits to be explored.
Get involved in groups regardless of what it will do for your CV.
Nourish your friendships and go to parties from time to time. The body recovers more quickly in your twenties. Enjoy it, while you still can.
If possible, study abroad.
Be nice to the staff members of the Mensa, the facility managers, the cleaning and administrative staff. Be nice to employees of the refuse collection, bus drivers, and to the people around you. It is because of those people who pay their taxes that you have the great opportunity to pursue an academic degree. That is the least you can do.

Relevance of the studied program

Your study program will further your career and challenge you intellectually. If you master those challenges, many career opportunities will open up to you. Studying abroad helped me gain new intercultural experiences and improve my language skills. My time at the University of Mannheim laid a great foundation for making business contacts. In addition, I was lucky to get to know inspiring personalities who could give advice beyond the scope of their profession. I acquired specialized knowledge and developed an understanding for certain economic issues.

 Last updated: February 2023

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Credit: offenblende.de

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